A Tory-led government’s defense budget would not hit NATO’s recommended target of 2 percent of GDP after the general election, a defense and security think tank warns.

A report, conducted by the European Leadership Network (ELN),
predicts Britain’s 2015-16 defense budget will likely drop to
1.88 percent of UK GDP – its lowest level since the fall of the
Berlin Wall.

The right-of-centre think tank’s forecast is backed by government
sources who say the Tories’ 2015 election manifesto will only vow
to maintain current spending levels on equipment and the armed
forces’ headcount.

The findings of the ELN'sreport, published Thursday, will
likely irritate Conservatives and military chiefs who have
lobbied intensely against further cuts to Britain’s military
spending.

In contrast to Britain, Russia reportedly plans to increase its
military spending by 33 percent in 2015-16.

As Britain and the West’s relations with Russia remain fraught,
British MPs warn the challenge posed by Russian President
Vladimir Putin’s assertive foreign policy, and the threat of
Islamic State have bred the “most dangerous” global
climate since the mid-1990s.

The think tank's research analyzed defense spending in 14
different NATO member states, and concluded that only Estonia
will achieve the 2 percent target in coming months.

The report insisted “burden-sharing is becoming a necessity,
not a choice.” It said none of the NATO member states other
than the US have sufficient public support or funding to
modernize and reform their militaries.